DAVIS, Wallace
| Service Number: | SX2008 |
|---|---|
| Enlisted: | 5 March 1940, Broken Hill, NSW |
| Last Rank: | Private |
| Last Unit: | 2nd/48th Infantry Battalion |
| Born: | Broken Hill, New South Wales, Australia, 16 May 1920 |
| Home Town: | Broken Hill, Broken Hill Municipality, New South Wales |
| Schooling: | North Public School, Broken Hill, New South Wales, Australia |
| Occupation: | Labourer |
| Died: | 13 July 1999, aged 79 years, cause of death not yet discovered, place of death not yet discovered |
| Cemetery: |
Centennial Park Cemetery, South Australia General AC, Path 17 Grave 213 |
| Memorials: |
World War 2 Service
| 5 Mar 1940: | Involvement Private, SX2008 | |
|---|---|---|
| 5 Mar 1940: | Enlisted Broken Hill, NSW | |
| 5 Mar 1940: | Enlisted Australian Military Forces (Army WW2), Private, SX2008 | |
| 31 Aug 1945: | Discharged | |
| 31 Aug 1945: | Discharged Australian Military Forces (Army WW2), Private, SX2008 | |
| Date unknown: | Involvement 2nd/48th Infantry Battalion |
First hand account of July 1942
John Glenn in his book Tobruk to Tarakan succinctly describes the conditions under which the 2/48th fought. Fellow soldier Wallace Davis (SX2008) told of the events from the morning of 24th July ’42. ‘My Platoon went to ground in a vicious burst of shelling, and Lieutenant Lance Heffron crawled across to us and gave orders to move forward. As we closed in on the German position their machine guns cut hell out of us, and the ground heaved as shells and mortars exploded around. Ahead, about a dozen Jerries were running down the ridge towards us. Everyone seemed to open up at once, and they were cut to pieces.’
‘There were only three left in my section, and Lieutenant Heffron was still with us. We were about a hundred yards from the enemy when we went to ground for the last time and were out of touch with any of the 2/48th Battalion troops. Despite this Lieutenant Heffron decided we should go ahead and take the hill and hope that others would get there to support us. We were told to press on and under no circumstances were we to stop. If any of the four were hit, we were to give whatever supporting fire we could give to the remainder.
The artillery and mortars were still belting hell out of us, but as soon as the machine gun fire died down a little Lance Heffron gave the word. We got to our feet and started a slow run towards the enemy. Clarrie Brown was hit and fell, then I copped one. Lieutenant Heffron and Bill Morgan went to ground besides us.’ Lance calmly chose to go on alone but was hit in the head. ‘Thus died a splendid soldier. There was nothing we could do but lie out there under the very muzzles of the enemy guns and hope we could live through the night and then crawl out. I called to Clarrie Brown and was relieved to hear that he thought we would see the day out. Bill Morgan, who had come though without a scratch, reckoned that with a bit of luck he could get us both out that night.’
‘When it got dark, Bill and Clarrie crawled over to me and Bill gave me a drink, the last we had before he started back with Clarrie, to return with others for me.’ Clarrie was fortunate to survive as he had sustained gunshot wounds to his back and right buttock. Bill’s action in getting him to medical assistance was pivotal.
Submitted 19 December 2023 by James Davis
Biography contributed by Kaye Lee
Wallace Davis
As a young student, Wallace achieved well in the North School Infants’ Exams in 1930, coming equal 7th in his class and repeated this achievement in the North Public-School Primary Exam in 1932 before passing exams entitling him to be admitted to High School.
Wallace was a member of the Citizen’s forces prior to the outbreak of WWII, then enlisted in his hometown of Broken Hill to serve on the 5th March 1940, just after his 20th birthday which was recorded as being on the 16th May 1920, the day after his brother Harry’s on the 15th May. Wallace became Private SX2008. He was part of the first batch to enlist, in the hurriedly set-up depot in the Barrier Boys' 'Brigade Hall. His fellow enlistees were Malcolm McRae, Robert Keith Grose, Thomas Keith Evans and Ern Dunstan. This group returned to The Hill on the 5th March 1940 for their final six days of leave before travelling to the Woodside camp on the next night's train.
In April 1941 Wallace’s mother had been informed that he had been wounded in the Libyan Campaign and was hospitalised in Northern Africa. Arriving in Palestine, Wallace found out that his brother, Harry who had enlisted three months after, in June 3rd 1940, was encamped just three miles from his own Camp. Wallace immediately applied for a transfer to be with Harry and thus joined the newly formed 2/48th Battalion. Wallace was again wounded in 1942, the year his brother Harry was killed in action.
Back home on leave in April of 1943, Wallace became engaged to Eleanor Enid (Enid) Hayes who had spent her early years in Angaston. They married four months afterwards on the 3rd August.
He and Enid continued to remember their brother;
Advertiser (Adelaide, SA: 1931 - 1954), Tuesday 31 October 1944, DAVIS, Cpl. H., 2/48th Battalion. —In loving memory of Harry (the Colt), killed in action at El Alamein, Oct. 31, 1942. Ever remembered by Enid and Wally.
Advertiser (Adelaide, SA : 1931 - 1954), Wednesday 31 October 1945, page 14 DAVIS, Harry.—ln loving memory of Harry, killed In action El Alamein, -October 31. 1942.—Ever remembered by Enid and Wally.
Wallace was discharged on the 31st August 1945. They welcomed a son on January 20th 1951 born at the Queen Victoria Hospital.
Wallace Died on the 13 of July 1999 aged 79 years
Researched and written by Kaye Lee, daughter of Bryan Holmes SX8133 2/48th Battalion.
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